Machine for forming conveyer-flights.



PTENTED SEPT. ll, 1906.`

F. 0. GALDWLLL.` MACHINE FOR BORMING GONVEYLR FLIGHTS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.29,1904.

4 SHBBTSHSVHEBT 2.

PATENTED SEPT. 11, 1906.

F. c. CALDWELL. MACHINE POR PORMING GONVEYER FLIGHTS.

APPLICATION IILED AUG.29.1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

PATBNTED SEPT. 11, 1906.

' F. G. CALDWELL.

MACHINE BOR FORMING GONVLYEB, FLIGHTS.

.APPLIATION FILED AUG. Z9, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

Hun/Hrw UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

MACHINE FOR FORNIING CONVEYER-FLIGHTS.

Speccaton of Letters Patent.

Patented sept. 1 1, 190e.

Application filed August 29, 1904. Serial No. 222,5 76.

To all wle/0111, it may concern.'

Be it known that I, FRANK C. CALDWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Machine for Forming Conveyer-Flights, of which the following isa specification.

My invention relates to means for forming flights for spiral conveyers, more particularly those made in sections and riveted together; and the object of such invention is to provide a simple, efficient, and reliable machine for forming flights of this character.

In general terms, my machine embraces two formers cooperating with each other in the flight-forming operation, one of such formers having a reciprocatin@r movement, but non-rotatable, while the other former is rotatable, but non-reciprocating, with the result that a radially-slitted disk from which the flight is to be produced is accuratelyT and perfectly shaped between the formers to the form of a flight, the rotary or twisting movement of one of the formers causing the disk to be properly formed into aflight passing alittle more than once around the shaft or axis. Moreover, the arrangement and construction of my machine are such that any pitch and diameter of flight may be produced, as well as right and left hand flights.

The various features of utility and advantage of my machine will be made apparent from the description hereinafter given.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective of my machine. Fig.,2 is a central longitudinal section of the machine as far as the rotatable former; Fig. 3, a plan view of the two formers; Fig. 4, a sectional plan on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2; Fig. 5, a section on the line 5 5 of Fig. 4 and Fig. 6 a central sectional elevation of the rear end of the machine, which is not illustrated in Fig. 2, exhibiting a portion of the reciprocating former and its operating connections.

My invention may partake of various embodiments differing in details of construction and arrangements, but containing the same general ccnstrnction and mode of operation. Consequently it will be understood that I am not to be limited to the precise details of construction of the present and illustrated embodiment thereof now to be described for the sake of a clear and comprehensive understanding of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, the machine has a main frame, here comprising the longitudinal channel irons or beams 1, cross channel-beams 2, and upright channel-beams 3, at the rear end of the machine, where the powerapplying mechanism or gearing is arranged. These longitudinal beams 1 constitute a support or table on which the working parts of the machine, as hereinafter described, are mounted or supported.

At the rear end of the machine, adjacent the upright channel-beams 3, are mounted in journals or bearings 4a transverse main shafts 4, to which is secured a pair of parallel crank disks or gears 5, as clearly indicated in Figs. 1 and 6. The power or driving shaft 6 (shown in Fig. 6) is connected in any suitable manner to a driven shaft 7, provided with pinions S, arrangedto mesh 'with the periphery of the disk 5. These disks are, in fact, gears and are actuated by their respective pinions S.

A pitman 9 extends between the crankdisks and is there connected at its inner end with a crank-pin 10, arranged between said disks and mounted at its ends therein. The other end of the pitman is connected with a wrist-pin 11, arranged in a reciprocating crosshead 12. This cross-head rests upon the top face of the blocks or guides 13, as clearly shown in Fig. 1, and slides back and forth thereupon during the rotation of the crank-disk by reason of the pitman connection described. In order to give different degrees of throw or range of reciprocation of the cross-head to aecommodate different sizes of formers, as hereinafter explained, the crank-disks are provided with a series of corresponding openings f arranged at varying distances from the axis of rotation of such disks and adapted to receive the crank-pin 10. In the present instance l have shown one set of additional crank-pin openings, (marked 14 in Fig. 6,) although any desired number thereof may be employed.

The rearward former 15 is secured in suitable manner, as by bolting or otherwise, to the cross-head, and such former therefore reciprocates with the cross-head.

IOO

It will be i understood that this former reciprocates, but

has no rotary movement. This former is provided witha shaft 16, which extends forwardly and axially thereof, the same projecting beyond the plane of the extreme forward end of this former, as indicated in Fig. 3. The purpose of this shaft is to receivethe disk which is inserted thereupon, it being understood that the disk from which the flight is to be produced is a circular piece of sheet IIO ' vanced toward the former 17 the latter will be partially rotated as the disk is being pressed and shaped between the formers, this partial rotation of the former 17 being brought about through suitable connections with the same power which drives or actuates the cross-head.

In the present instance the former 17 is operatively connected with an operating-shaft 18, which extends centrally and longitudinally of the machine and is driven'or partially rotated by operating connections at its forward end. At its rearward end the shaft 18 is secured to a distance-piece 19, to which the former 17 is bolted or otherwise secured. This distance-piece is in turn bolted or otherwise secured to a rotatable block or back-stop 20. In order to support and guide the rear- "ward end 'of the operating-shaft and the partsconnected therewith, I provide a stationary frame 21, having a hub 22, receiving the shaft, and also having the end web 23 and radial webs 24 for the sake of strength and rigidity, Figs. 1 and 2. A keeper-ring 25, bolted to the frame 21, engages the flange 26 ofthe back-stop, with the result that the latter is permitted to freely turn, but prevented from moving longitudinally relatively to the frame 21. From the description thus far given it will be understood that the reciprocating former, with the interposed sheetmetal blank or disk for the plate, moves forwardl against the rotatable former with consi erable pressure; but in order to relieve the parts of undue strain as the crank or pitman passes its limit of movement, and there- -by pr'vent breakage of the machine, I provide relief mechanism comprising in the present instance a pair of heavy relief-springs 27, Figs 1 and 2. As herein shown, short shafts 28y are secured at one end to standards 29, rising from the -machine-frame, and pass in aforward direction freely through side sleeves 2 1a, formed in, the body of the frame 21, as clearly indicated in Fig. 1. The other ends of these short shafts eXtend between guides 30, rising from the machine-frame and against the sides of which are pressed by means of relief-springs the flanges 31, secured to or formed integral with their respective shafts. The relief-springs bear at one end against the frame 21 but instead of bearing directly against the flanges or disks 31 of the rods or shafts 28 they bear against an interposed adjusting-disk 32, which is provided for the purpose of adjusting the tension of the relief-springs, to which end the disks 32 are loosely strung upon the shafts 28 and provided with set or adjusting screws 33, passing therethrough and arranged to bear against the disks 31.

As hereinbefore suggested, the shaft 18,

` which rotates or partially rotates the rotatable former, is operated by mechanism arranged at one end thereof through suitable connections with the cross-head, whereby such former is operated at the proper time and through proper distances. In the present instance the shaft 18 is rotated through the medium of a transversely-movable rack 34, meshing with a pinion 35, which is secured to such shaft at a point adjacent its journal-box 36, in which the forward end of the shaft bears, Figs. 1 and 2. As illustrated in these figures, a reciprocating head or frame 37 is arranged to operate between the longitudinal beams 1 of the main frame and guides 38, which head is connected with the cross-head 12 by means of a longitudinal shaft or connecting-rod 39, with the result that the head or frame 37 partakes of all the movements or reciprocations of the crosshead. The reciprocating head has at its opposite ends sectors 37a, which are provided with a series of holes for a purpose hereinafter explained.

Upon the reciprocating head and coperating with its sectors is an adjustable frame or block 40, which is provided on its upper face with a cam groove or guide 41, running longitudinally thereof, Figs. 1 and 4. This groove is adapted to receive and by the movement of said block is arranged to actuate or move from side to side of the machine a roller 42, Fig. 2, which is connected with and depends from the rack 34, with the result that when the reciprocating head 37 is actuated the rack is reciprocated transversely of the machine and the rotatable former and its shaft 18 are partially rotated by reason of the meshing of the pinion 35 with said rack. In these described movements the rack is guided by means of guides 43, arranged on the machine-frame, as indicated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The frame or block 40 is adapted to be secured to the reciprocating head 37 and to be IOO IOS

IIO

IIS

held thereto in different adjusted positions l in order to accommodate Adifferent pitches and diameters of Hight and also to accommodate right and left hand flights. To this end the construction shown in Fig. 1 and illustrated more in detail in Figs. 2, 4, and 5 is adopted. As shown in Fig. 5, theI camgroove frame 40 has depending flanges or blocks 44 at opposite ends, which blocks are arranged adjacent the sector-shaped ends 37 a of the reciprocating head 37. This frame is secured to the head 37 in different relative positions by the set-screws 45 passing through the blocks 44, Fig. 5, each set-screw having a projecting and a reduced end portion 46, adapted to enter one of the adjustingholes in the sector-shaped ends of the Vreciprocating head. To guide the movementsof the adjustable f ante 40, the same is provided near its ends with angular plates 47, leach having an outwardly-extending ange 48, received in en arc-shaped guide 49, Figs. 4 and 5.

In practice the disk from which the flight is to be produced is placed on the shaft 16 of the reciprocating former 15, which is-reciprocatedv by means of the pitman toward the rotatable former 17. The latter formerhas no longitudinal movement (except a very slight movement at the extreme end of the stroke of the former 15 to relieve the parts and prevent breakage,) but is caused to partially rotate by reason of its operative connection with the pitman, with the result that during the advancing movement of the reciprocating former and the shaping of the disk to` conform to the flight-shaped formers the disk is acted upon with a twisting pressure, which will properly form the disk and also roll or twist `the same so that when finished it will pass a little more than once around the shaft, and thereby form a perfect Hight or section of the character described. It will thus be seen that the flight is formed with a single operation of the machine and that all of the flights produced are perfect and uniform in character. Moreover, owing to the peculiar arrangement of the formers, there is no possibility of scale from the flights, which are generally formed hot, collecting in either of the formers, sc that such form ers are always kept free from scale, and the forming of a perfect flight is thereby assured.

The amount or degree of rotation of the rotatable former is determined by the predetermined angularity of the cam-grooves, it being obvious from the description already given that the amount of movement of such former will be greater or less as the angularity of the groove is increased or decreased. Different sizes of forirA ers may thus be accommodated, and in this connection it is to be understood that different formers are provided for different sizes of flights, the construction and arrangement of the machine being such that the forni ers may be readily removed and others substituted. Again, either right or left hendform ers maybe employed, to accommodate which the adjustment of the camgroove is availed of. In the particular instance illustrated in Fig. 1 the groove is adjusted for a right-hand flight; but by adjusting the frame 4() sc that its ends will point towr rd the opposite sides of the machineframe-that is, b Y adjusting it in a clockwise direction-the machine is adapted to produce left-hand flights from formers, which. are

` of course of the left-hand type.

I claim-u 1. A flight-forming machine comprising two normally disconnected formers having corresponding spiralshaped cooperating faces, one of the formers `being arranged to ,reciprocate and the other being arranged to rotate; substantially as described.

2. A .flight-,forming machine comprising two normally disconnected formers having corresponding spiralshaped cooperating faces, one of the formcrs being arranged to reciprocate and the other being arranged to rotate but non-reciprocating; substantially as described.

3. A flight-forming machine comprising two normally disconnected formers having corresponding spiral-shaped cooperating faces, one of the formers being arranged to reciprocatebut non-rotatable and the other being arranged to rotate; substantially as described.

4. A flight-forming machine comprising two normally disconnected formers having corresponding spiral shaped cooperating faces, one of the formers being arrangedto reciprocate but non-rotatable and the other being arranged to rotate-but non-reciprocating; substantially as described.

5. A flight-forining machine comprising two cooperating spiral-shaped formers,.one of such formers being arranged to reciproca te, and the other being arranged to rotate, and a short shaft having a fixed position with relationto the first-named former and projecting axially therefrom; and adapted to enter the other former axially thereof substantially as described.

6. A flight-forming machine comprising two cooperating spiral-shaped formers, one of such formers being arranged to reciprocate, and a short shaft projecting axially from the last-named former and movable therewith to enter the other former axially thereof substantially :is described.

7. A flight-forming machine comprising a reciprocating cross-head, and two normally disconnected cooperating formers having corresponding spiral shaped cooperating faces, one of such formers being connected with the cross-head and movable therewith, and the other former being rotatable; substantially as described. i

8. A flight-forming machine comprising .i reciprocating cross-head, two cooperating formers, having corresponding spirJl-shaped Y cooperating faces one thereof being connected with the cross-head and movable therewith and the other former being rotatable, and a short shaft also connected with the cross-head and projecting therefrom axially of the forni er thereof, said shaft being adapted to enter the other former axially when the cross-held is reciprocated g substantially as described.

9. A flight-forming machine comprising a vreciprocating cross-head, and two normally disconnected cooperating formers, having TOC corresponding spiral shaped coperating faces one thereof being connected with the cross-head and movable therewith but non'- rotatable, and the other being rotatable but non-reciprocating; substantially as described.

10. A flight-forming machine comprising a reciprocating cross-head and two coperating formers, having correspondirg spiralshapedcoperating faces one thereof being connected with the cross-head and movable therewith but non-rotatable, and the other being rotatable but non-reciprocating, in combination with means for adjusting the stroke of the vcross-head; substantially as described.

11. A flight-forming machine comprising crank-disks, means for operatingA them, a cross-head having a pitman connection with the disks, and two coperating formers, one of which rotates but is stationary as to longitudinal movement and the other of which is connected with the cross-head and reciprocates therewith; substantially as described.

12. A flight-forming machine comprising crank-disks, means for operating them, a cross-head having a pitman connection with the disks, and two coperating formers, one of which rotates but is stationary as to lon.- gitudinal movement and the other of which is connected with the cross-head and recip rocates therewith, in combination with means for adjusting the point of connection between the pitman and the crank-disks to vary the stroke of the cross-head; substantially as described.

13. A flight-forming machine comprising crank-disks, means for operating them, a cross-head having a pitman connection with the disks, and two coperating formers, one of which rotates but is stationary as to longitudinal movement and the other of which is connected with the cross-head and reciprocates therewith, said disks having a plurality of holes at varying distances from their center or axis of rotation, and crank-pins arranged to be received in different ones of said holes and connected with the pitman, substantially as described.

14. The combination of the main frame, guides 13 thereon, a cross-head 12 sliding on said guides, crank-disks 5, a pitman connection 9 between the cross-head and disks, a former 15 secured to the cross-head, and a rotating former 17 mounted inthe main frame; substantially as described. V,

15. A lflight-forming machine comprising two coperating spiral-shaped formers, one of which is arranged to reciprocate and the other to. rotate, and means for adjusting the v amount of rotation of the last-named former substantially as described.

16. A iiight-formin 4machine comprising two coperating spira -shaped formers, one of which is arranged to reciprocate and the 'j other to rotate, and means for rotating the last-named former in one direction or the other according to whether the flight to be produced is to be right or left hand, substantially as described.

17. A flight-forming machine comprising two coperating spiral-shaped formers, one of which is arranged to reciprocate and the other to rotate, and means for rotating the last-named former in one direction or the other according to whether the flight to be produced is to be right or left hand, and for adjusting or determining the amount of rotation of the last-named former, substantially as described.

18. A ilight-forming machine comprising two coperating spiral-shaped formers, one of which is arranged to rotate, andmeans for rotating the last-named former consisting of an adjustable and reciprocating frame and an operating connection between said frame and the rotatable former, substantially as described.

19. A flight-forming machine comprising two coperating spiral-shaped formers, one of which is arranged to rotate, a shaft connected with the rotatable former, a pinion on the shaft, a transversely-movable rack with which the pinion meshes, in combination with means for actuating the rack simultaneously with the movement of the reciprocating former substantially as described.

20. -A flight-forminoV machine comprising two coperating spira -shaped formers, one of which is arranged to rotate, a shaft connected with the rotatable former, a pinion on the shaft, a transversely-movable rack with which. the pinion meshes, a roller conframe having a cam-groove adapted to receive the roller and to thereby operate the rack; substantially as described.

of which is arranged to rotate, a shaft connected with the rotatable former, a pinion with which the pinion meshes, a roller connected with the rack, and a reciprocating frame having a cam-groove adapted to receive the roller and to thereby operate the rack, said frame being adjustable to present its groove at different angles to the roller; substantially as described. y

22. A Hight-forming' machine comprising two coperating spiral-shaped formers, one

nected with the rotatable former, a pinion on the shaft, a transversely-movable rack with which the pinion'meshes, a roller connected with the rack, and a reciprocating frame having a cam-groove adapted to receive the roller and to thereby operate the nected with the rack, and a reciprocating 21. A flight-forming machine comprising two coperating spiral-shaped formers, one.

of which isarranged to rotate, a shaft con*4 IOO on the shaft, a transversely-movable rack IIS rack, and a reciprocating head to which said frame is adjustably secured g substantially as described.

23. A flight-forming machine comprising two cooperating spiral-shaped formers, one of which is arranged to rotate, a shaft connected with the rotatable former, a pinion on the shaft, a transversely-movable rack with which the pinion meshes, a roller connected with the rack, and a reciprocating frame having a cam-groove adapted to receive the roller and to thereby operate the rack, a reciprocating head on which said frame is mounted, and means for holding the'frame in different adjusted positions on the head; substantially as described.

24. A flight-forming machine comprising two cooperating spiral-shaped formers, one of which is arranged to rotate, a shaft connected with the rotatable former, a pinion on the shaft, a transversely-movable rack with which the pinion meshes, a roller connected with the rack, and a reciprocating frame having a cam-groove adapted tok receive the roller and to thereby operate the rack, a reciprocating head on which said frame is mounted, and means for holding the frame in different adjusted positions on the head and consisting of set-screws carried by the frame and arranged to bear against the head; substantially as described.

2.5. A flight-forming machine comprising a reciprocating cross head, two cooperating formers, one of which is connected with the cross-head, and means for rotating the other former consisting of a reciprocating head, a rack operated thereby, a shaft connected with the rotatable former and operated by said rack, and a connecting-rod between said head and cross-head; substantially as described.

26. A flight-forming machine comprising a reciprocating cross head, two cooperating formers, one of which is connected with the cross-head, and means for rotating the other former consisting of a reciprocating head, a frame mounted on said head and provided with a cam-groove, a rack having a depending roller received by the groove and operated thereby, a shaft connected with the rotatable former and provided with a pinion which engages said rack, and a connecting-rod between said head and cross-head; substantially as described.

27. A Hight-forming machine comprising two formers, one of which is arranged to rotate and the other to reciprocate and to be advanced toward the second former in the production of the flight, and means for relieving the extreme pressure against the lastnamed former; substantially as described.

28. A flight-forming machine comprising two formers, one of which is arrangedto reciprocate and to be advanced toward the second former in the production of the flight, and

means for relieving the extreme pressure against the last-named former, consisting of relief-springs normally 'holding the second former to its limit toward the first former, and made operative at the eXtreme end ofthe stroke thereof substantially as described.

29. A flight-forming machine comprising two formers, one of which is arranged to reciprocate and to be advanced toward the second former in the production of the flight, and means for relieving the extreme pressure against the last-named former, consisting of relief-springs normally holding the second former to its limit toward the first former, and means for adjusting the tension of said springs; substantially as described.

30. A flight-forming machine comprising two formers, one of which is arranged to reciprocate and to be advanced toward the second former in the production of the flight, and means for relieving the eXtreme pressure against the last-named former, consisting of a frame 21, on which the second former is mounted, guides 30, shafts 28 passing through the frame 21 and between the guides, and springs 27 bearing respectively against the frame 21 and the guides; substantially as described.

31. A flight-forming machine comprising two formers, one of which is arranged to re-` ciprocate and to be advanced toward the second former in the production of the flight, and means for relieving the extreme pressure against the last-named former, consisting of a frame 21 on which the second former is mounted, guides 30, shafts 28 passing through the frame 21 and between the guides, flanges or disks 31 on the shafts, a second set of flanges or disks 32 fitting loosely on the shafts, relief-springs 27 encircling the shafts and interposed between the frame 21 and the disks 32, and set-screws for adjusting the distance between the disks; substantially as described.

32. A Hight-forming machine comprising a reciprocating former and a rotatable former, a shaft 1S, a frame 21 on said shaft, a distancepiece 19, on which the rotatable former is mounted, a back-stop 20 to which the distance-piece is secured, and which is mounted on but has rotary movement with respect to the frame 21, and means for rotating said shaft; substantially as described.

33. A flight-forming machine comprising two cooperating spiral-shaped formers, one of which is rotatable, and means for causing the rotatable former to rotate in one direction or the other according to whether' the flight to be produced is to be right or left hand; substantially as described.

34. A flight-forming machine comprising two cooperating spiral-shaped formers adapted for relative movement toward and away from each other, one of said formers being rotatable, and means for varying the amount IOO IIO

of rotation of the rotatable former independently of said relative movement of the foriners; substantially as described.

35. A flight-forming machine comprising two cooperating spiral-shaped formers, one of Which is rotatable, means for rotating-the rotatable Jformer in one direction or the other according to Whether the flight to be produced is to be right or left hand, and means for adjusting or determining the amount of rotation of such particular former substantially as described.

36. A flight-forming machine comprising two coperating spiral-shaped formers, one of Which is rotatable, driving mechanism, and a reversible connection betWeensuch mechanism and the rotatable Jformer to cause -such latter former to rotate in one direction or the other accordingly as the iiight to be produced is to be right or left hand; substantially as described.

FRANK C. CALDWELL. 

